Augusta Canal breaks ground on new bridge and trail

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It will be something new for canal visitors to dig.

“This is a huge shot in the arm, it’s a most visited park by far and you couldn’t be more excited by the opportunity,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The opportunity is this new canal trail that will connect the Village at Riverwatch to the canal trail by crossing over a new pedestrian bridge spanning the canal, leading visitors to even more amenities.

“It’s going to be great. We’re going to have fishing pods off the bridge, we’re going to have a kayak launch a nature walk through the wetlands at the clearing, we’re anticipating having musical groups there,” said Russ Gambill, Interim Canal Authority Director.

The improvements are funded in large part by a $3 million-dollar state DNR grant.

“We worked hard on it with Russ Gambill, with several, to make sure the Department of Natural Resources recognized the unique and regional draw of this and the connectivity it provides. We were excited to get the maximum amount,” said State Rep. Mark Newton.

Augusta must provide a 30 percent match. Those funds are part of the next special purpose sales tax on the May 19th ballot.

Work will take about a year and a half before canal visitors will be able to cross this bridge when they come to it.

“We already have two existing bridges that people use every day, but this one being so connected to one of our most visited shopping centers in the region, certainly will assist,” said Mayor Johnson.

It’s a major step for enhancing the canal.